7th Son: Book Two - Deceit (The Beta Version)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is "The Beta Version" of this podiobook. 7th Son: Descent is now available as a print novel from St. Martin's Press. During the editorial process, significant changes and improvements were made to Descent's print manuscript. Character names were changed, and events at the end of the print novel were modified in ways that will impact the rest of the print trilogy. The print novel represents an official reboot of the 7th Son series.

Due to these changes, this "Beta Version" of Book Two: Deceit is no longer the "official" version of the podiobook. Please visit the 7th Son: Descent (The Print Edition) page to subscribe to the definitive beginning of the trilogy. You're welcome to continue the series with this version of Deceit, but understand that you will encounter slight inconsistencies in character names and plot references.

THE STORYTwo days ago, seven human clones -- John, Michael, Father Thomas, Dr. Mike, Jonathan, Jack and Kilroy2.0 -- were torn away from their "normal" lives to stop a ruthless plot created by their progenitor, a man code-named John Alpha. Their quest was a descent into conspiracy, violence and death.

The clones were successful in their mission, but victory was not without its price.

As 7th Son: Book Two - Deceit begins, the Beta clones are demoralized, reeling from their loss ... and about to learn that John Alpha's plans are far from over.

To prevent the next phase of Alpha's plan, John, Kilroy2.0, and the others must unearth more dark secrets about the government project from which they were spawned. They will experience the horrors of betrayal, and race cross-country to track John Alpha.

And they will finally realize the scope of Alpha's wrath -- the bloodshed the clones have witnessed is merely a prelude to the world-rending destruction to come. Unless they can stop it first.

Deceit is the second novel in J.C. Hutchins' 7th Son thriller trilogy.

Tip this Author!

John Alpha -- who lives on inside the mind of Vice President Charles Caine -- contacts his other "selves," updating them on his ongoing conspiracy. Father Thomas and Dr. Mike do some soul searching. Dania Sheridan explains the secrets of Psyjack technology.

The story shifts to the 7th Son facility. Hugh Sheridan and John explain Psyjack technology to Kilroy2.0, Jack and Jonathan. Dr. Mike makes a call to the facility. The clones, Sheridan, Gen. Hill and Dr. Kleinman discover the scope of John Alpha's recent NEPTH-charge activity. Another secret technology is revealed.

Kilroy2.0, Father Thomas and Dr. Mike plot their escape from the Common Room. John, Jack, Hill and Kleinman recover from their incident in the Proto-Womb. John Alpha gives an update, and has a conversation with a once-old ally.

Debut date: March 23, 2007. Here it is -- the final episode for Book Two: Deceit. J.C. Hutchins answers your questions, basks in the glow of your comments, and thanks darned-near everyone (again) for their support!

Debut date: Sept. 25, 2006. Less than a day after the historic 7th Son: Book Two launch party in Second Life, Chris Miller of Podiobooks.com and The Round Table podcast chatted with author J.C. Hutchins about the event, and the opportunities for innovative promotion of fiction (and other art forms) in Second Life.

Debut date: Oct. 7, 2006. J.C. Hutchins more than makes up for his absence during the hiatus between Descent and Deceit with this Bonus Episode! J.C. chats about what he did during his "summer vacation," plays gobs of calls from the Clone Line (206-984-2566), shows even more undying gratitude to his fans (will he ever shut up?), and even plays some music.

Debut date: Nov. 5, 2006. It's another bonus episode ... and this one's all about YOU! J.C. talks about Nathan Fillion's upcoming appearance on the show, thanks filmmaker Patrick Lussier, announces the new "Make Your Own Goddamned Contest Contest" hosted by J.C. and Scott Sigler, and debuts a new section of the website. It's called THE MINISTRY OF PROPAGANDA, and this one's huge!

Debut date: Nov. 25, 2006. Meet Natasha, the voice of the 7th Son Ministry of Propaganda. Natasha briefs you on the latest mission for the Ministry, code-named "Operation Burn, Baby, Burn." Distribute five CDs of 7th Son and get your name on the coveted Agents of the Ministry page. Distribute more, and you'll be eligible to win some killer capitalist swag.

Debut date: Dec. 16, 2006. It's a new mission from Natasha, voice of the 7th Son Ministry of Propaganda. Natasha commands you to participate in MOP mission #3, code-named "Operation Baby, Can You Digg It?" Complete both parts of this mission, and you'll land your name on the coveted Agents of the Ministry page. Plus, you will be entered in a drawing for more capitalist swag.

Debut date: Jan. 4, 2007. There's no new chapter this week -- J.C. Hutchins has poor post-holiday time management skills -- but there's tons of great info in this special "Interlude" episode about: listener-created content, new features at JCHutchins.net, an update on the MOP, capitalist swag, and more! Plus, J.C. proclaims 2007 "Year of the Clone," and outlines plans for the new year.

Debut date: Jan. 14, 2007. The Clone Line's been ringing off the hook, and it's high time J.C. posted all of your calls -- so here's a very special feedback episode. You're the star; J.C.'s along for the ride. Join the fun and call in: 206-984-2566!

Debut date: Feb. 11, 2007. Another ambitious mission awaits you! Natasha, voice of the 7th Son Ministry of Propaganda, commands you to participate in MOP mission #4, code-named "Operation Start the Presses!" Complete this mission, and you'll land your name on the coveted Agents of the Ministry page. Plus, you will be entered in a drawing for a cameo in the forthcoming “Ops Center” room in the 7th Son Virtual Tour, or a cool MOP T-shirt from GeekLabel.com!

Debut date: Feb. 11, 2007. Holy Clone Line, Batman! J.C.'s received more than 20 calls on the Clone Line in the past few weeks, and he plays them all in this special feedback episode. Wanna be a part of the fun? Easy peasy! Call 206-984-2566 with your reactions to the story!

Debut date: March 18, 2007. This very special bonus episode features Jason Rennie's amazing "The Sci Phi Show" podcast. Jason recently released an amazing Sci Phi Show episode all about 7th Son and some of the philosophical questions the story raises. I was so flattered and impressed by the quality that I wanted to share it here with 7S fans. If you like what you hear, be sure to check out Jason's show. It's one of my favorite podcasts, and I highly recommend it!

Debut date: April 15, 2007. J.C. Hutchins is back ... and he’s armed with 7th Son news, shout-outs to listeners, a groundbreaking promotion for Book III, a shiny-new contest and more! Hot dog, Hutch is chatty today!